Ayuna, eight, of Azerbaijan is a displaced person. Many displaced people, including her mother, are able to receive small loans and get back on their feet.

Highlights and Awards

Management Highlights

  • Continued development of integrated linkages between microfinance services and World Vision development programmes. These efforts provide a holistic poverty reduction model through uniquely innovative efforts.
  • Strengthening of operations including credit and collections training following one of the worst worldwide financial crises in living memory. MFIs rallied to ensure that they continued to be financially sustainable in difficult times.
  • Restructuring of worldwide operations to better meet the needs of communities desperate for access to financial microfinance products. This resulted in some closure and some strengthening of the MFI network.
  • Establishment of new key top teams for MFI management. The hiring of new CEOs in ten countries ensured that our leadership is high class and responsive to need.
  • Approved network-wide governance database provided policies, data, events, and the sharing of best practices amongst member MFI boards and leadership.
  • MFI social performance assessments through either internal or external reviews have taken place. These assessments have allowed VisionFund and participating MFIs to understand the quality of the social impact being made on the field level and make improvements.
  • Reinforcement of Christian foundations and identity has been key to VisionFund affiliated MFIs. Guiding documents, staff orientation modules, and devotional materials have been developed to service this initiative.
  • Restructuring of boards and committees to provide greater board evaluation time and increased attention on risk management. The management developed a risk framework including identifying VisionFund and World Vision’s risk appetite. Additionally, a review of the structure to manage policies and reporting was made. This was accomplished to ensure risks are identified and controlled. Worth noting, is that no MFI failed or had liquidity issues during the crisis.

2010 Notable Awards

Three VisionFund affiliated MFIs Receive Gold Social Performance Reporting Award from MIX

Each year, MFIs from around the world are ranked and reviewed by the Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX). Founded by CGAP, Mix is a leading business information provider dedicated to strengthening the microfinance sector by providing financial and social performance transparency.

In 2010, MIX recognised MFIs located all over the world for their excellence in reporting social performance through the Social Performance Reporting Award. Social performance refers to the commitment to serve the poor and marginalised with products and services that meet their needs and develop their lives and the lives of their families.

With hundreds of submissions, VisionFund is proud to announce that its affiliated MFIs, AzerCredit, CEVI, and VisionFund Cambodia were recognised by MIX for their integrity and transparency in reporting, measuring, and data collection of social performance.

Scott Brown, President & CEO of VisionFund, expressed his congratulations to all the management and staff of AzerCredit, CEVI, and VisionFund Cambodia in their first-ever gold award received, and said, "These three VisionFund affiliated MFIs have now set the standard which all MFIs will now strive to achieve."